NEW: Oregon Announces New Plan to Reduce Carbon Pollution

Wednesday, January 07, 2015

Kirsten Nicolaisen, GoLocalPDX Content Manager

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced Tuesday a new plan to reduce carbon pollution by 10 percent over 10 years.

The new Clean Fuels Program will require oil companies to gradually reduce carbon pollution from their gasoline and diesel fuel by blending low-carbon biofuels or purchasing credits that support electric vehicles, natural gas, propane, and other clean fuels, according to the Oregon Environmental Council (OEC).

“Having these rules in place will be a win for Oregonians, clean air, and expanded consumer choice,” said Jana Gastellum, climate program director at Oregon Environmental Council. “Opening even a small slice of the market to alternative fuels will also help protect Oregonians from the volatility of the oil market – which we’ve seen swing wildly in the last few years.”

In adopting these rules, Oregon joins California and the British Columbia in providing a wider array of choices for consumers at the gas pump without increasing prices, according to OEC.

Nearly 50 people gave public comment on the adoption of the new rules and over 75 percent were in favor of the rules. In a recent poll, over 65 percent of Oregonians supported the program, according to OEC.

The program could create thousands of jobs and save up to $1.6 billion in fuel costs for consumers and businesses, according to the Jack Faucett Associates.

Governor Kitzhaber said that the Clean Fuels Program is a priority on his own agenda. Businesses, health professionals and environmental organizations across the state are continuing to advocate for the program, according to OEC.

NEW: Oregon Announces New Plan to Reduce Carbon Pollution

Related Slideshow: 20 Oregon Facilities With The Most EPA Fines

#20

Jasper Wood Products LLC, Jasper

#19

RSC Dairy LLC, Tillamook

#18

Oak Lodge Sanitary District, Milwaukie

#17

Forrest Paint Co., Eugene

#16

East Side Plating Inc. Plants, Portland

#15

Darigold, Portland

#14

Owens-Brockway Glass, Portland

#13

Oregon Door Inc., Dillard

#12

Export Global Metals, Hillsboro

#11

Crop Production Services, Tangent

#10

Kanto Corporation, Portland

#9

Cascade Plating & Machine, Eugene

#8

Gunderson Inc., Portland

#7

U.S. Army Umatillla Chemical Depot, Hermiston

#6

RSG Forest Products, Molalla

#5

Johnson Crushers International, Eugene

#4

Jeld-Wen, Klamath Falls

#3

Ash Grove Cement Co., Durkee

#2

TDY Industries Inc., Albany

#1

ATI Allvac Albany Operations, Albany

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